Fence construction



Nov. 15, 1966 A. z. PINSON 3,285,577

FENCE CONSTRUCTION Filed May 7, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 30 as 22 as w Y INVENTOR. 1 A/ron Z. Pinscn NOV. 15, A, Z, P NS FENCE CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 7, 1964 INVENTOR. ALTON Z. PINSON Nov. 15, 1966 A. z. PlNSON 3,285,577

FENCE CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 7, 1964 INVENTOR.

ALTON Z. PINSON United States Patent 3,285,577 FENCE CONSTRUCTION Alton Z. Pinson, 2869 N. Greenfield Road, Phoenix, Ariz. Filed May 7, 1964, Ser. No. 365,834 14 Claims. (Cl. 256-34) This invention relates to a fence construction, and, more particularly, to a fence construction employing substantially conventional wire mesh structure covered with novel slats which completely enclose either side of the wire mesh structure.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending patent application, Serial Number 270,488, filed March 21, 1963, now abandoned, which was a continuation-inpart of a now abandoned patent application, Serial Number 76,880, filed December 19, 1960*.

In fence construction comprising wire mesh and sheet metal slats, it has been a problem completely to enclose a fence, particularly for privacy and/or other purposes. Prior art fence structures of this class have merely utilized slats threaded through the mesh of wire fence, or have employed slats having notches which are disposed to engage the locking corners of a wire mesh. However, these notches permit observation through the fence and are therefore not conducive to complete privacy which is required of many fences.

Additionally, many prior art fence structures employing wire mesh and slats include very thin aluminum or other sheet metal slats having little or no structural resistance to bending ornoisy fluttering when subjected to wind.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fence construction wherein novel slat structures completely enclose one side of a wire mesh structure and also reinforce the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fence construction wherein wire mesh at its rows of interlocking couplings at the corners of the mesh is covered by channel structures of integral slats whereby the channel structures have considerable resistance to bending or noisy fluttering and also completely provide for enclosure of either of the wire mesh.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fence construction wherein slats are provided with longitudinal channels fitted over wire mesh corner couplings and wherein slots, laterally through said channels, receive locking slats which are threaded through the mesh of the wire structure in order to lock the slats of the present invention thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fence construction wherein wire mesh is covered by channeled slats having a novel and attractive appearance.

-Another object of the invention is to provide a fence construction having novel means for attaching wire mesh to corner posts Where-by there is no gap between the mesh securing mechanism and the corner posts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fence construction wherein wire mesh is covered by channeled panels, each having a plurality of channels which cover parallel rows of interlocking mesh corners of a wire mesh fence structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel fence construction having a wire mesh fence structure covered by metal slats or panels wherein louvers are 6 3,285,577 Patented Nov. 15, 1966 apparent from the following specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a fence construction in accordance with the present invention and showing, fragmentarily, a few channeled slats secured to one side of a wire mesh structure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of one slat of the fence construction in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan sectional view taken from the line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view taken from the "line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a modification of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a modification of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a modified structure for securing slats to the wire mesh in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the upper and lower edges of a fence structure by broken lines and omitting the wire mesh structure of the fence, and showing a covering slat forming panel wherein a single piece of metal comprises a plurality of parallel channels which are adapted to cover several corresponding parallel rows of interlocking mesh corners of a wire mesh fence structure, and illustrating by broken lines the diagonal cutting of strips of the channeled panel structure of the invention so that no waste occurs in the fabrication of a multiplicity of the channeled panel structures of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 9 omitting interlocking cross slat structures shown in FIG. 9, but showing a sectional view of the structure disclosed in FIG. 11 and taken from line 1212 thereof;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 13-13 of FIG. 12 showing l-ouvers in a slat panel of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 13 showing a modified form of the louvered structure shown in FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 12, but showing a fiat sheet metal panel secured to a wire mesh fence structure at areas between the interlocking corners of the wire mesh by means of clips similar to those hereinbefore disclosed in FIG. 10 of the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, a conventional wire mesh fence structure 10 is supported by conventional corner post structure 12. The wire mesh structure 10 is formed in a substantially rectangular pattern having interlocked corners 16. These interlocked colhers,

as shown in FIG. 1, are aligned substantially diagonally with respect to the horizontal.

Sheet metal slats 18 cover one side of the wire mesh structure and each slat 18 is provided with a channel portion 20 which fits over a diagonally disposed row of interlocked corner portions 16.

With reference to FIG. 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the channel shaped portions 20 of the slats 18 are adjacent one edge 22 of each slat. It will be seen that each slat 18 is provided with an opposite edge 24,

3 which underlines the edge 22 of the adjacent slat whereby the slats overlap and completely enclose one side of the wire mesh structure.

Each channel portion 20 of each slat 18 is sufficiently wide to encompass the interlocked corners 16 of the wire mesh fence structure.

The channel portions of the slats 18 are resilient and are each provided with a slightly restricted waste portion 26 adapted resiliently to clip over the interlocked corners 16.

Each channel portion 20 of each slat 18 is provided with slots 28, in opposite sides thereof, through which interlocking slats 30 may be inserted. The slots 28 are spaced longitudinally in the channel portion 20, as indicated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, wherein each interlocking slat 30 is spaced equal to six meshes of the wire mesh 10'. As shown in FIG. of the drawings, each interlocking slat 30 in each of the notches 28 is provided with a convex side 32 which bears against the wire mesh while oppositely curved portions 34 and 36 bear against one side 38 of each slot 28. Thus, the interlocking slats 30 resiliently force the channel portions 20 of each slat 18 into contiguous overlapping engagement with each other at the overlapping edges 22 and 24, shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

It will be understood that the channel portions 20 are disposed longitudinally of the slats 18, stiffen the same to prevent them from rattling or bending when subjected to wind and that the complete enclosure and overlapping structure of these channel portions 20 provides for complete privacy in a fence structure since no openings whatsoever will permit vision through the wire mesh when the slats 18 are in place, as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawrngs. a

In the modification, as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, slats 40 of conventional construction may be accomplished @by a channel member 42 in accordance with the present invention. This channel member 42 is similar to channel portion 20 of the slats 18 but is not integral with any slat. Each channel 42 is disposed to fit over the interlocking corner portions 16 of the conventional wire mesh fencing and a locking slat structure 44, similar to the locking slats 30, extends through slots 46 in opposite sides of the channel member 42 thereby to interlock the channel structure 42 on the wire mesh structure 10 whereby opposite edges 48 and 50 of the channel member 42 overlap edges 52 and 54 of adjacent slats 40 which, as hereinbefore described, may be conventional slats common to the structure now installed in wire mesh fencing.

Secured to the conventional corner posts 12 by means of band clamps 56 is a supporting bar 58 which, according to the invention, as one edge 60 thereof clamped in contiguous relation to the side of the post 12.

This post 12, as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, is a conventional annular in cross section pipe post and each clamp 56 surrounds the post and is provided with opposite clip ends held together by a conventional bolt 62.

The bar 58 is provided with slots 64 through which each of the band clamps 56 extends. Thus, the edge 60 of the bar 58 is held contiguous to the side of the post 12 and may be located at any position around the post 12 so that sections A and B of the wire mesh 10 may be disposed at various angles, as desired. Further, no gap between the post and the bar is apparent so that vision through the corner of the fence cannot be had. Privacy is therefore insured.

The bar 58 contains novel features of construction, including punched out tabs 66 which are spaced equal to and aligned with the interlocking corners 16 which may be secured onto the bar 58 by these tabs 66.

Attention is called to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings,

wherein the bar 58 and the tabs 66 are shown in enlarged scale.

Each tab is punched out of the parent stock of the bar 58 and is provided with a notch 68 to receive each corner portion 16 at the end of the wire mesh structure. Each tap is then bent slightly, as shown in FIG. 6, so that its free end 70 is adjacent to the side of the bar 58 thereby to lock each corner wire section 16 to the bar 58.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the fence construction, in accordance with the present invention, may apply to either side of a wire mesh structure 10, such as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, and that the interlocking slats 30 may be spaced as desired.

In the modification as shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings, the interlocking wire corners 16 are similar to those shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings and slat members 72 and 73 are provided with respective channel forming portions 74 and 76 which are provided with overlapping portions 78 and 80, respectively. These overlapping portions 78 and 80 are disposed outwardly of the interlocking corners 16 to thereby enclose the interlocking corners in a manner similar to the coverage thereof by the channel structures 20 shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings.

The locking slat 30 as shown in FIG. 2 is used in the structure shown in FIG. 9 and projects through openings 82 and 84, respectively, of the slat. member 72 and 73. Each slat member 72 is provided with a portion 86 disposed in overlapping relation with a portion 88 of each slat member 73. These overlapping portions 86 and 88 are disposed intermediate the general-1y channel shaped structures designated 90 provided by the channel forming portions 74 and 76 and their respective overlapping portions 78 and 80. Accordingly, it will be seen that the channel structure covering the interlocking corners of the wire mesh fence may be formed generally of a single thickness of material or may be formed by overlapping structures, :such as shown in FIG. 9, and the overlapping edges of the respective slats 72 and 73 at 86 and 88 may be disposed between or intermediate the generally channel shaped structures 90 hereinbefore described.

As shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings, a modified connection member 92 may be used to secure the slats at their channel shaped portions 20 to the wire 16. This slip structure 92 is provided with resilient legs 94 and 96 connected to a plate structure 98 and the legs are projected through an opening 100 in the channel structure 20 of each slat. The resilient legs 94 and 96 are provided with angular ends 102 and 104, respectively, which deflect around the wire 16 and interlock, all as indicated in FIG. 10 of the drawings. The clip 92 is first disposed in a broken line position A and is subsequently forced in a direction of an arrow C to a second broken line position D and is then ultimately disposed in the solid line position D in which the ends 102 and 104 of the legs 94 and 96 positively interlock with the wire 16, thus, the slats are held to the interlocking corners of the wire fence by the modified structure of the invention, all as shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings.

In the modification of the invention, as shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings, a slat panel 106 is constructed of a single sheet of metal and forms three parallel slat sections 108 and a pair of interconnecting channel sections 110, all of which are formed of a single sheet of metal. Thus, the panel 106 is as shown in FIG. 12 of the drawings, and each panel 106 at its opposite edges 112 is disposed in overlapping relationship with a similar panel. Accordingly, it will be seen that the channel sections cover rows of interlocking mesh corners 114 of wire mesh structure similar to the corners 16, hereinbefore described.

Opposite ends of each slat panel, generally designated 116 and 118, may be cut at an acute angle to coincide with respective lower and upper edges 120 and 122, indicated by broken lines in FIG. 11 of the drawings. The angular cutting of the panels 106 provides for very efficient usage of thematerial since each angular out either coincides with the lower or upper edge of a fence, all as indicated by solid and broken lines in FIG. 11 or the drawings.

Each slat section 108 between the channels 110 is provided with struck out louver portions 124 which generally alleviate wind loading on a fence in accordance with the invention, and also permit alleviation of snow drifts forming against such fences. These louvers as shown in FIG. 13 are conventional struck out louvers similar to various sheet metal louvers, and while they permit air to flow through the slat or panel structures of the fence. they also provide for privacy since they obstruct a view directly and laterally through the fence.

In the modification, as shown in FIG. 14, the louvers are in pairs having their open edges 126 adjacent to each other to provide a wide slot 128 substantially wider than corresponding slots 130 shown in FIG. 13.

In the modification, as shown in FIG. 15, a flat louvered panel 132 is secured to the wire mesh fence structure and held in connection therewith by clips 134 having opposed resilient fingers 136 gripping opposite sides of the wire mesh at 138 between the interlocking corner portions of the mesh structure, as hereinbefore described. The flat sheet metal panel 132 is also provided with louvers 124 arranged in rows, as shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings, between the parallel rows of interlocking mesh corners of the wire mesh fence structure of the invention.

The louvers 124, shown in FIG. 15, serve functions similar to that hereinbefore described in connection with the louvers disclosed in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications of the present invention may be resorted to in a manner limited only by a just interpretation of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a fence construction the combination of: a wire mesh structure having rows of interlocking mesh corners; slat means disposed between said rows of interlocking corners; and channel structure covering said rows of interlocking corners of said wire meshand overlapping an edge of one of said slats.

2. In a fence construction the combination of: a wire mesh structure having rows of interlocking mesh corners; slat means disposed between said rows of interlocking corners; and channel structure covering said rows of interlocking corners of said wire mesh and overlapping an edge of one of said slats, said channel structure having slots extending laterally therethrough; and interlocking slats extending through said slot and the mesh of said wire structure for holding said slats and channel structures on said wire mesh structure.

3. In a frame construction the combination of: a wire mesh structure having rows of interlocking mesh corners; slat means disposed between said rows of interlocking corners; and channel structure covering said rows of interlocking corners of said wire mesh and overlapping an edge of one of said slats, said channel structure being integral with each slat and overlapping an edge of an adjacent slat.

4. In a fence construction the combination of: a wire mesh structure having rows of interlocking mesh corners; slat means disposed between said rows of interlocking corners; and channel structure covering said rows of interlocking corners of said wire mesh and overlapping an edge of one of said slats; each channel structure disposed to receive portions of said mesh extending between said interlocking corner portions, said channel structure having slots in the oposite side thereof; and interlocking slats extending through said slots and engaging portions of said mesh between said interlocking corners for holding said channel structures and said slats contiguous with one side of said wire mesh structure.

5. In a fence construction the combination of: a wire mesh structure having rows of interlocking mesh corners; slat means disposed between said rows of interlocking corners; and channel structure covering said rows of interlocking corners of said wire mesh and overlapping an edge of one of said slats; each channel structure disposed to receive portions of said mesh extending between said interlocking corner portions, said channel structure having slots in the opposite side thereof; and interlocking slats extending through said slots and engaging portions of said mesh between said interlocking corners for holding said channel structures and said slats contiguous with one side of said wire mesh structure, said interlocking slats having curved edge portions and formed of resilient material thereby providing resilient holding of said slats and channel structure relative to said wire mesh.

6. In a fence construction the combination of: wire mesh structure having rows of interlocking corner portions; a channel structure fitted over said rows of interlocking corner portions; and slats disposed in overlapped relationship to respective edges of said channel structures, said slats disposed between adjacent rows of said interlocking corner portions.

7. In a fence construction the combination of: wire mesh structure having rows of interlocking corner portions; a channel structure fitted over said rows of interlocking corner portions; and slats disposed in overlapped relationship to respective edges of said channel structures, said slats disposed between adjacent rows of said interlocking corner portions and means for securing said channel structure to said mesh whereby said channel structure at its overlapping portions relative to said slats holds said slats contiguously connected with one side of said wire mesh structure.

8. In a fence construction the combination of: a wire mesh structure having rows of interlocking mesh corners; slat means disposed between said rows of interlocking corners; and channel structures covering said rows of interlocking corners of said wire mesh, said slat means and channel structures having overlapping edges.

9. In a fence construction the combination of: a wire mesh structure having rows of interlocking mesh corners; slat means disposed between said rows of interlocking corners; and channel structures covering said rows of interlocking corners of said wire mesh, said slats and channel structures having overlapping edges, said channel structure having slots extending laterally therethrough; and interlocking slats extending through said slots and the mesh of said wire structure for holding said slats and channel structures on said wire mesh structure.

10. In a fence construction the combination of: a wire mesh structure having rows of interlocking mesh corners; slat means disposed between said rows of interlocking corners; and channel structures covering said rows of interlocking corners of said wire mesh, said slats and channel structures having overlapping edges, said channel structure being integral with each slat and having an integral portion overlapping an edge of an adjacent slat.

11. In a fence construction the combination of: a wire mesh structure having rows of interlocking mesh corners; slat means disposed between said rows of interlocking corners; and channel structures covering said rows of interlocking corners of said wire mesh, said slats and channel structures having overlapping edges; an opening in said channel structure and resilient clip means extending through said opening and engaging said wire mesh structure.

12. In a fence construction the combination of: a wire mesh structure having rows of interlocking mesh corners; a slat panel having a plurality of channel sections; each channel section integral with the next adjacent section and each covering a row of said interlocking mesh corners; and means fixing said slat panel on said wire mesh structure.

13. In a fence construction the combination of: a wire mesh structure having rows of interlocking mesh corners; slat means disposed between said rows of interlocking corners; and channel structures covering said rows of interlocking corners of said wire mesh, said slat means 7 8 having overlapping edges; louvers in said slat means be- References Cited by the Examiner tween said I'OWS Of mesh FOI'DCIS. D P

14. In a fence construct1on the combination of: a wlre mesh structure having rows of interlocking mesh corners; 2,152,816 4/1939 Olson 256*24 a slat panel having a plurality of spaced channel sections; 5 2,954,964 10/1960 qHafiey each channel section integral with the next adjacent scc- 3,021,114 2/1962 0 Connell 256 24 tion and each covering a row of said interlocking mesh 3,069,142 12/1962 Kessler 25634 corners; and means fixing said slat panel on said wire mesh structure; and louver openings in said panel between HARRISON MOSELEY Primary Exammer' said channel sections. 10 D. L. TAYLOR, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A FENCE CONSTRUCTION THE COMBINATION OF: A WIRE MESH STRUCTURE HAVING ROWS OF INTERLOCKING MESH CORNERS; SLAT MEANS DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID ROWS OF INTERLOCKING CORNERS; AND CHANNEL STRUCTURE COVERING SAID ROWS OF INTERLOCKING CORNERS OF SAID WIRE MESH AND OVERLAPPING AN EDGE OF ONE OF SAID SLATS. 